Who is 'Chad' – and why does he get more sex than you? This is the subject of an article by Kim Ebensgaard Jensen, Associate Professor at the Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies at the University of Copenhagen and Fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, exploring the language of the online incel community. Focusing on terms such as ‘Chad’ and ‘maxxing’, he examines how incel language not only reflects a misogynistic worldview, but also creates identity and community and helps spread the movement’s radical gender ideology.
Art can foster community, strengthen identity, and inspire hope in times of uncertainty. These are some of the experiences reflected in the Sanasa Art Route Project in South Greenland, where young people and artists collaborate to create public artworks. In a new article in The Conversation, our fellow Kathrin Maurer explores how the project and its artistic initiatives can strengthen local resilience and provide renewed hope in a time shaped by regional and geopolitical challenges.
Hate speech is not just about harsh words - the language we use can turn the 'other' into dangerous strangers and shorten the path to abuse. Even small, seemingly innocent words can repeat themselves in patterns that reinforce fear and hostility, gradually normalising violence and discrimination. In a new article on Videnskab.dk, linguist Tanya Karoli Christensen explores how these words function in hate speech, why they appear again and again, and what consequences they can have for both public debate and our society.
Photography has historically had a unique ability to create a sense of community across borders and conflicts – but can it still bring us together in a divided world? This question is explored by Mette Sandbye, researcher at the Nordic Humanities Center and Professor of Photography Studies at the Department of Modern Culture, Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies, University of Copenhagen. Taking the iconic exhibition The Family of Man as her point of departure, she reflects on the role of photography, past and present, as a shared human point of reference in a time marked by war, crises, and an overabundance of images.
Today, the idea of selling Greenland to the United States seems completely absurd – but that hasn’t always been the case. In both the 1860s and the 1910s, the possibility was taken quite seriously, explains Niels Bjerre-Poulsen, Associate Professor at the Center for American Studies and researcher at the Nordic Humanities Center. He puts today’s reactions into perspective with a surprising story of great-power politics and Arctic ambitions.
Thirty years ago, the Balkan War came to an end — a conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and left deep marks on Europe’s political landscape. But the struggle over how history is remembered is far from over, and today Bosnia and Herzegovina is still characterized by power struggles between ethnic groups over the memory and interpretation of the war. This is described by Tea Sindbæk Andersen, fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, in an article on Videnskab.dk marking the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, concluded on November 21, 1995.
Collaboration with Denmark was significant as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania forged their path to independence.
In Sweden and Norway, culture is part of crisis preparedness. And we should also strengthen the cultural front here at home, says Malene Breuning, associate professor of Danish literature and cultural history and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center.
Both during World War I and the Cold War, a war tax was introduced in Denmark. But what is it, and how does it actually work?
Should we release wild horses and bison into the Danish countryside or not? The debate about rewilding sets off great emotions, which stem from historical conflicts between country and city.
Children and young people have the right to be involved, but this is far from always the case. There is a need for a fundamental change in our view of children.
It may sound like a chore to get into whether politicians say 'welfare society' rather than 'welfare state'. But there are good reasons to keep an eye on the choice of words.
It should signal that economic growth and environmental considerations could go hand in hand. But perhaps 'green growth' as a concept is about to be used up as a political mantra.
Counting men and women in history books at the schools, is a good place to start. But history classes in school should also include children, non-whites, climate philosophy, menopause, and psychiatri.
It is now not only civil opinion formers, but also its own core troops, who are angry at the Danish welfare state.
Free school meals is frequently discussed amongst the Danish politicians. But why is the children's' lunch the most discussed meal in Danish history? A national scheme for school meals, will give the children healthier eating habits, make the joint meal a focal point for learning and pedagogy, and ease pressured parents, says Martin Lidegaard (R).